CONTENT BY THE WORLDFOLIO Rise of the machine: how robotics is helping promote globally Conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan have long embraced robotics to boost turnover. Today, Suzumo Machinery is on a cultural mission to promote restaurant automation and Japanese cuisine worldwide. 156,000, thanks in large part to an it is hoped the country and its in- it as our mission to make our tech- expanding Asian middle class and novative manufacturers can become nology and know-how available to the increased demand for Japanese a leader in restaurant automation everyone in the business of serving delicacy in North America. and encourage culinary diversity, sushi or any Japanese cuisine.” “The characteristics of sushi fit especially at a time when labor Suzumo offers a range of equip- perfectly with the trend of health- shortages are forcing the interna- ment used to process cooked rice, conscious eating and triggered the tional fast food industry to become but its mainstay is the sushi robot, first wave of the Japanese food increasingly homogenised (symbol- which automates the preparation of boom,” recalls Minako Suzuki, Presi- ised by the seeming ubiquitousness sushi rice balls or sharidama, turn- dent of Suzumo Machinery Com- of bland burger, pizza, and coffee ing out up to 80 pieces a minute. pany, which manufactures and sells chains the world over). Sharidama – which are tradition- rice processing machinery and auto- Others fear, however, that au- ally prepared by a dedicated sushi mated robots for the sushi industry. tomation could potentially devalue chef – are bite-size rice balls made “Our product line-up “Sushi led the early days of Japanese cuisine’s characteristic of cooked rice flavored with vinegar. ranges across 70 models, this boom, coming to be sold at human touch – its relentless pursuit The major buyers of the sushi robot from compact machines supermarkets and other retail for skill, artistry, and hospitality – include sushi chains and supermar- to large high-speed shops worldwide, and continued that has gained fans all over the kets, with the company also selling to garner mass appeal with the world. For Suzumo Machinery Com- robots that prepare sushi rolls, sushi machines for mass appearance of conveyor belt sushi pany, its objective is not to under- rice, and other products. production, including restaurants, helping consumers mine Japanese culinary traditions, “Our product line-up ranges sushi robots.” further deepen their understand- quite the opposite, says its president. across 70 models, from compact ing of Japanese food culture.” Through applying the advantages machines to high-speed large Minako Suzuki, For decades now, conveyor belt of robotics and automation to tra- ones for mass production, includ- President, sushi chains in Japan have embraced ditional food preparation, it aims to ing sushi robots and other mod- Suzumo Machinery Company robots to boost serving efficiency position Japanese food as a truly els that produce or serve sushi, and profitability amidst rising fish cross-cultural staple of the global , norimaki, inari-zushi and The global rise in popularity of prices and part-time wages. Today, diet as well as promote traditional rice burgers with the consum- healthy eating has attracted fast they are emerging as a role model Japanese cuisine beyond the realms mate technique of a professional growing international interest into for Japan’s $213 billion restaurant of the popular dishes such as sushi. sushi chef,” says Ms. Suzuki. “The the dietary habits and cuisines of industry, with restaurants serving “We dream that one day everyone most important mission for us Japan. In fact, the number of res- staples such as , beef bowls in the world will be able to enjoy is to make people in the world taurants serving Japanese food and other Japanese cuisine racing authentic Japanese food, much of enjoy Japanese rice cuisine in a overseas has jumped 30% in the to replace humans with machines. which is still only available in Japan. handy, healthy, hygienically, and last two years, from 118,000 to Amid this increasing global trend, For this reason, we at Suzumo see of course delicious way.

www.suzumokikou.com